When the soul dances

The evening of December 3rd was, in many ways, an unforgettable one for lovers of classical dance. The Gadkari Rangayatan, which staged the 11th Padmashree Nataraj Gopikrishna Sangeet Mahotsav, was jam packed with Kathak enthusiasts.

City-based Shree Ganesh Cultural Academy organises this annual programme in recognition of Dance Master Gopikrishna’s immeasurable contribution to the art of classical dance. Manjiri Deo, veteran dance teacher from Thane, who founded the Academy, was a student of Gopikrishna. Last Friday, when she performed on stage, she deliberately chose steps and moves that the great master had taught her. So enthralled was the audience with Deo’s performance that several times the auditorium resonated with requests of "once more".

When 68-year-old Asha Joglekar was awarded the lifetime achievement award for her contribution to the field of dance, Manjiri Deo’s husband, Sriram Sripad Deo, who hosted the programme, requested his wife to present the award. But Deo’s response was, "I am too insignificant in the presence of my Guru (Asha Joglekar) and I don’t think I am worthy of presenting an award to her." Joglelar, in turn, said in her speech that she would have been honoured to receive the award at the hands of one of her most talented students (referring to Manjiri Deo). It is this humility that is the mark of great individuals.

The evening was an unforgettable experience for lovers of classical dance from Thane. And why not, it was Indian culture at its best.

Go get it!Here is an update on the National Science Congress, where students from Thane have often outperformed the others. Once again this year, our city is set to make a powerful impression at the national round of the Children’s Science Congress. As many as four projects, have reached the ultimate round – the highest from any one city. A remarkable achievement considering that there were a total of 800 entries from all over Maharashtra, out of which only 30 will represent the state at the national round, to be held in Guwahati between 27 and 31 December 2004. As usual, President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam is scheduled to inaugurate the event.

Another unique aspect of this year’s congress is that for the very first time the Municipal Corporation Schools from Thane participated and one of the four projects selected for the national round is from TMC School No. 2. The project, titled " Ice Candy – The health Hazard" and guided by Sushama Rege, analyses the quality of water used to make ice by vendors of ice candy.

What’s more, Thane District coordinator Mrs. Sandhya Dharde, a teacher from Smt. Savartividevi Tharni High School, Vartak Nagar, has been chosen for The Best Performance Award.

Thane based Jidnyasa Trust, which is State Coordinator of National Children Science Congress for Maharashtra actively supported all projects from Thane. Surendra Dighe, Managing Trustee of Jidnyasa says, "We got valuable support from TMC’s Education Department and the Pollution Control laboratory, which testes water samples and provides results promptly. Of course, there were many individuals too, from schools, colleges and other organisations whose support made this possible."

That the students of Thane are bright is a known fact. Time and again, they prove their mettle against the best brains in the country. Let’s all wish the participants all the very best for Guwahati. Go get it!